Download Name___________ Date:___ ____ Mrs. Compton/Mr. Sugiura

Name_________________________________________________________________
Date:______________________
Mrs. Compton/Mr. Sugiura; Global Studies
Mini-Lesson 5: Age of Napoleon
Aim: How did Napoleon consolidate and demonstrate his power?
Do Now: Regents Review
Which statement is a valid generalization about the immediate results of the French Revolution of 1789?
1. the Roman Catholic Church increased its power and wealth
2. the revolution achieved its goal of establishing peace, democracy, and justice for all
3. the revolution had little impact outside France
4. the French middle class gained more power
Explain below:
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Scholar Pair Work: Read each document and take notes using your graphic organizer (CCLS RI.1-citing strong
and thorough textual evidence to support analysis).
Napoleon Brings Order after the Revolution
Document #1
Under Louis XVI, the king had absolute power, and could not be removed. There was no National Assembly (or
Parliament) and there were no elections, so people did not have a say in who was in power in France. The
King made all the laws, and resulted in very little change, such as the Estates system. During the revolution (the
overthrow of the King), there was no single ruler of France, and a National Assembly was elected by voters.
The National Assembly made all the laws, which meant that many new laws were introduced. Under
Napoleon, more changes were introduced. In 1800, desperate for strong leadership, the people voted in favor
of the constitution, which gave all real power to Napoleon as first consul. In 1804, Napoleon decided to make
himself emperor, and the French voters supported him. As the Emperor of France, Napoleon could not
be removed from power. After 1804, there were no elections. All laws were made by the National Assemblies.
Document #2
The first order of business was to improve the economy. To improve the economy, Napoleon controlled prices,
encouraged new industry, and began public works projects (government built bridges, roads, parks, and important
buildings). Napoleon set up an efficient tax-collection system and created a National Bank managed by the
government. This helped the government get a steady supply of tax money, these
actions promoted sound financial management and better control of the economy. Napoleon also ordered the building
of new roads, canals and bridges. Huge amounts of money were invested in improving the image of France's capital,
Paris. Older buildings were improved, and new buildings were put up. Ports were dredged to improve trade. A
better network of roads was planned for Paris, and several memorials to the Revolution and to Napoleon himself were
erected. Napoleon tried to make sure that all major groups gained from his rule. Napoleon opened jobs to all, based on
talent rather than social class. Napoleon tried to reward talented and hardworking people by setting up the Legion of
Honor in 1802. It is still one of the highest honors you can receive in France today. For peasants, Napoleon made sure that
they could keep their land by outlawing Feudalism. For the Nobles, Napoleon offered a chance to keep the
position. He created titles for some people, though these new nobles had no special privileges.
Document #3
Under Louis XVI, only the privileged went to schools, which were run by the Church. Students were taught respect for
elders and religion. Revolutionaries (supporters of the revolution) believed that school was for everyone, and state
schools were even proposed, but none were set up. The goal was to encourage students to investigate and question.
Under Napoleon, the education system in France changed. Four grades of school were set up: primary, secondary,
lycées (government-run public schools) and technical schools. The purpose of lycées was to ensure well-trained officials
and military officers. Napoleon needed to reduce government corruption and improve the delivery of government
services. The students at the lycées included children of ordinary citizens as well as children of the wealthy. The trained
candidates could then be appointed to public office on the basis of merit rather than family connections. Schools
now stressed the importance of obedience (loyality) and military values %96 although primary education stayed almost
as it had been before 1789. Science and math became more important subjects in secondary schools. In 1814, 9,000
students were attending the 36 lycées %96 out of a population of 30 million.
Document #4
At the same time, Napoleon backed off from some of the revolution's social reforms. Both the clergy and
the peasants wanted to restore the position of the church in France. Napoleon signed a concordat
(agreement) with Pope Pius VII, spelling out a new relationship between church and state. The Concordat
kept the Church under state control. Bishops were to be chosen by Napoleon, and agreed by the Pope. This
meant that the government now had greater control over the Church. However, the bishops would appoint
priests. During the Revolution, the land owned by the Catholic Church was sold off and any religion was
permitted (only Catholicism was practiced in the ‘Old Regime'). Napoleon and the Pope agreed that the
Church would not get its land back, and in return, Catholicism was accepted as the religion of
the majority. The Concordat of 1801 gained Napoleon the support of the organized church as well as
the majority of the French people. Revolutionaries who opposed the Church denounced the agreement.
Document #5
Among Napoleon's most lasting reforms was a
new code of laws, popularly called the
Napoleonic Code. It embodied
Enlightenment principles such as the equality of all
citizens before the law, religious freedom, and the
abolition (end) of feudalism. The
Napoleonic Code was also introduced into other
parts of Europe conquered by Napoleon, such as
Italy, Spain, and some parts of Germany.
Although the Napoleonic Code gave the
country a uniform (same) set of laws
and eliminated (got rid of) many injustices, it
actually undid some reforms of the
French Revolution. The code took away some
rights that women had won during
the Revolution. For example, women lost most of
their newly gained rights and could not exercise
the rights of citizenship. Male heads of households
regained complete authority over their wives and
children. Freedom of speech and of the press,
also established during
the Revolution, were restricted rather
than expanded. The prison and courts system was
officially different, in that you could no longer be
put in prison without charge and everyone was
equal in the courts, but even in Napoleon's rule
there were restrictions (limits). He had a secret
police force, which from 1810 could arrest people
without trial. France under Napoleon sometimes
seemed similar to France under King Louis.
Napoleon valued order
and authority over individual rights.
Name: _________________________________________________________________
Date: ______________
Mrs. Compton/Mr. Sugiura; Global Studies
Napoleon Brings Order after the Revolution
Napoleon has been remembered not only for his military victories, but also as a “Great Reformer,” bringing about improvements to France and
French society. Under Napoleon, France had order and stability. Napoleon himself said: “I intend to keep the Revolution’s useful changes, but not to
abandon the good institutions it mistakenly destroyed.” So, how did France change under Napoleon? And did it change for the better?
Social (Society)
Goals of the
Revolution
Napoleon’s
Actions
Napoleon
helped
France
because…
Napoleon
harmed
France
because…
Class Work: Take notes on Napoleon and Decline
Economic ($)
Political (Government)
Exit Slip:
1.Overall, should Napoleon be considered an “absolute” or an “enlightened” ruler? Explain.
2.Describe in detail Napoleon’s three mistakes that led to the collapse of his Empire.
a)
b)
c)
3.Explain how nationalism in the countries Napoleon defeated was used as “a powerful weapon against him”.
4.Which factors helped cause the defeat of Napoleon during his invasion of Russia?
(a) the severe winters and large size of Russia
(b) the many rivers and mountains of Russia
(c) the coalition between the Russian czar and the democratic leaders
(d) the well-trained and well-supplied Russian army
OBJECTIVE FIVE ACTIVITIES: (you must choose one) 50 points.
1. Using your textbook, conduct research on Napoleon. Write an eulogy, or a speech read at someone’s funeral commemorating their life, for
Napoleon. Include his major achievements, reforms, and major failures. Decide whether he was a hero or a villain. Your eulogy must be at
least 1 page long.
2.
Complete activities 3, 4, and 5 on page 600. Use evidence from the textbook reading in your answers.